2019

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A Minute with Miranda – WS Aware Continuous Monitor on SMT Line

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Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be covering how the WS Aware provides continuous monitoring for an operator at an SMT line.

The SCS WS Aware Monitor is a continuous monitor for operators, ESD Worksurfaces and metal tools. It will continuously monitor the path-to-ground integrity and body voltage of two operators. It also monitors the path-to-ground integrity of two metal tools. In addition, it continuously monitors for electromagnetic interference (EMI) on two metal tools, which may cause electrical overstress (EOS) damage. The WS Aware Monitor eliminates the need for periodic testing and record keeping of wrist straps.

Per ESD Handbook ESD TR 20.20 section 5.3.2.4.4 “Typical Test programs recommend that wrist straps that are used daily should be tested daily. However, if the products that are being produced are of such value that knowledge of a continuous, reliable ground is needed, then continuous monitoring should be considered or even required.”

View the full range of SCS WS Aware Monitors here.

A Minute with Miranda – Testing ESD Footwear

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Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be covering how to test ESD footwear entering an ESD Protected Area (EPA).

Per the ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20, A system test of the footwear in combination with the existing or proposed flooring materials in the plant should be made to ensure that the criteria for the facility are met. When using a footwear checker it is important to make sure the upper and lower resistance limits of the checker match the user’s requirements. When testing the footwear should test within the range of 1 x 106 to 1 x 108 ohms.

Heel, sole and toe grounders should be worn on both feet to ensure effective use. They should be worn by all personnel and visitors within an ESD controlled area. If worn improperly, the heel, sole and toe grounders become ineffective. ESD footwear should be tested daily before use within an ESD Protected Area (EPA).

View the full range of SCS ESD Footwear here.

A Minute with Miranda – WS Aware Workstation Overview

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Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be covering how the WS Aware Monitor provides for continuous monitoring of an ESD Workstation setup.

The SCS WS Aware Monitor is a dual workstation continuous monitor for operators, ESD Worksurfaces and metal tools. It will continuously monitor the path-to-ground integrity and body voltage of two operators. It also monitors the path-to-ground integrity for two conductive or dissipative worksurfaces and two metal tools. It also continuously monitors for electromagnetic interference (EMI) on two metal tools which may cause electrical overstress (EOS) damage. The WS Aware Monitor eliminates the need for periodic testing and record keeping of wrist straps.

Per the ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 18.4.2 “Some continuous monitors can monitor worksurface ground connections. A test signal is passed through the worksurface and ground connections. Discontinuity or over limit resistance changes cause the monitor to alarm. Worksurface monitors test the electrical connection between the monitor, the worksurface, and the ground point. However, the monitor will not detect insulative contamination on the worksurface.”

View the full range of SCS WS Aware Monitors here.

A Minute with Miranda – Why you need ESD Footwear

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Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be covering why you need to use ESD footwear within your ESD Protected Area (EPA).

Per the ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20, Personnel may also be grounded through the use of ESD footwear with an ESD Flooring system. This method is useful for situations where personnel are mobile or standing in areas where a wrist strap is not feasible and ESDS items must be handled or transported. ESD protective footwear is designed to reduce body charge levels by providing a conductive path from the body to the ESD flooring material.

Heel, sole and toe grounders should be worn on both feet to ensure effective use. They should be worn by all personnel and visitors within an ESD controlled area. If worn improperly, the heel, sole and toe grounders become ineffective. ESD footwear should be tested daily before use within an ESD Protected Area.

View the full range of SCS ESD Footwear here.

A Minute with Miranda – WS Aware Continuous Monitoring a Wrist Strap

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Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be covering how to use the WS Aware Monitor for continuous monitoring of SCS wrist straps when at an ESD Workstation.

The SCS WS Aware Monitor is a dual workstation continuous monitor for operators, ESD Worksurfaces and metal tools. It will continuously monitor the path-to-ground integrity and body voltage of two operators. The WS Aware Monitor eliminates the need for periodic testing and record keeping of wrist straps. The WS Aware Monitor features operator body voltage detection. It will alarm if the operator generates or comes into contact with voltage that would be dangerous to an ESD susceptible item. Per the ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 5.3.2.4.4 “Typical test programs recommend that wrist straps that are used daily should be tested daily. However, if the products that are being produced are of such value that knowledge of continuous, reliable ground is needed, then continuous monitoring should be considered or even required.”

View the full range of SCS WS Aware Monitors: https://staticcontrol.descoindustries…

A Minute with Miranda – Cleaning an ESD Worksurface Mat

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Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be covering how to properly clean an ESD Worksurface Mat.

For optimum electrical performance, the ESD worksurface mat surface should be cleaned regularly using a recommended ESD mat cleaner. Per the ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20, “Ensure that cleaners that are used do not leave an electrically insulative residue common with some household cleaners.”
We recommend using Reztore ESD Surface and Mat Cleaner. Reztore is alcohol free and does not contain silicone or other substances that will leave an insulative residue or inhibit the performance of the ESD worksurface mats.

After cleaning the ESD worksurface mat with Reztore it is recommended to test the surface to ensure that all insulative contaminates such as dirt and grime have been removed from the mat.
SCS worksurface mats meet the ANSI/ESD STM4.1 and ANSI/ESD S20.20 required limit of 1 x 106 to less than 1 x 109 ohms for Rtt and Rtg and the recommendations of ANSI/ESD S4.1. View the range of Reztore Alcohol Free products here.

A Minute with Miranda – ESD Packaging with Protektive Pak In-Plant Handler

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Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be discussing how to store and ship your static sensitive assemblies within and outside of an ESD Protected Area using an In-Plant Handler.

ANSI/ESD S20.20 requires that ESD protective packaging is necessary to store, transport and protect ESD sensitive electronic items during all phases of production and shipment. Beyond the static protection, packaging also provides protection from physical damage, moisture, dust and other contaminates. Per the ANSI/ESD S541 Packaging Standard packaging that is used inside and outside of an EPA shall be low charge generating, constructed from dissipative or conductive material for intimate contact with ESD items and provide electrostatic discharge shielding.

The Protektive Pak In-Plant Handlers are constructed from an impregnated dissipative corrugated material that has a surface resistance range of 1 x 106 to less than 1 x 109 ohms per ANSI/ESD STM11.11. This minimizes the potential of rapid discharge or sparking. The in-plant handlers will shield ESD sensitive items from charge and electrostatic discharges with the lid in place. The partition sets are constructed from the same impregnated dissipative material and are available in over 300 cell size configurations to suit your specific packaging needs.

View the full range of Protektive Pak In-Plant Handlers here.

A Minute with Miranda – Testing an ESD Floor

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Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be discussing how to test the point-to-point resistance (Rtt) and the resistance-to-ground (Rtg) of a Conductive ESD Floor.

ANSI/ESD S20.20 requires initial and periodic verification of an ESD Flooring System. ANSI/ESD STM7.1 outlines the test methods applicable for the Conductive flooring material. For the Point-to-Point resistance (Rtt) test the flooring will be tested with a resistance measurement meter and
2 x 5lbs cylindrical electrodes positioned 36” apart. The value for the test should be less than or equal to 1 x 106 ohms.

The Resistance Point-to-Ground (Rtg) test should be conducted with a resistance measurement meter and 1 x 5lbs cylindrical electrode. One lead from the meter should be connected to the ground point and the other lead will be connected to the electrode. The test value should be less than or equal to 1 x 106 ohms.

View the full range of SCS Surface Resistance Testers here.

A Minute with Miranda – Testing Resistance Point-to-Point Rpp for an ESD Smock

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Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be discussing how to test the point-to-point resistance (or Rpp) of an ESD Smock.

ANSI/ESD S20.20 requires initial and periodic verification of ESD Control items – this includes ESD Smocks. ANSI/ESD STM2.1 outlines the test method applicable for ESD Smocks: the ESD Smock is to be placed on an insulative surface and 2 x 5lbs cylindrical electrodes are to be positioned on each cuff before taking the measurement. The Resistance Point-to-Point Rpp of the groundable smock needs to be less than 1 x 109 ohms.

View the full range of SCS ESD Smocks here.

A Minute with Miranda – How to Wear a Wrist Strap

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Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be covering how to properly wear a wrist strap.

ANSI/ESD S20.20 requires seated personnel to be connected to the grounding / equipotential bonding system via a wrist strap. The total resistance of the Wrist Strap System needs to be less than 3.5 x 10^7 ohms. The key to a wrist strap is the intimate contact of the band to the skin and that the coil cord is connected to ground. Wrist straps need to be tested at least daily before handling any ESD sensitive devices.

Operators can choose between elastic and metal wristbands. Elastic wristbands are comfortable to wear and easy to adjust. Metal wristbands generally last longer and are easier to clean. View the full range of SCS Wrist Straps here.